In the nine months of its current fiscal year to 31 December 2017, Kawasaki’s motorcycle division has steadily improved revenue and profitability thanks to better sales in developed markets, BDN financial editor Roger Willis reports.
Total sector revenue increased by 8.2% to £1.394bn. Resultant operating profit was £20.8m, compared with a loss of £13.2m in the equivalent period during Kawasaki’s previous fiscal year. For the full 12 months to 31 March 2018, the company is forecasting revenue up by 7% to £2.172bn and a 19.7% operating profit rise to £90.8m. Divisional performance is heavily weighted towards the fourth quarter, owing to a new-season wholesale shipment peak.
Three-quarterly growth was driven by the developed world — primarily Europe and the US — with higher-priced motorcycle volume 4.3% up at 96,000 units and associated revenue rising by 14%. Emerging bike markets in Asia were 1.3% down on 228,000 with revenue falling by 3.7%. Utility vehicles, ATVs and personal watercraft numbers were 2.3% lower at 43,000 but revenue from them actually climbed by 5.2%. Â
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